BajaNomad

Series and parallel wiring?

Santiago - 3-18-2012 at 12:45 PM

Assume these are 6 volt batteries wired to produce a 12-volt bank:
1. Shouldn't the positive coming from the charge controller be to the lower right battery?
2. What is the best way to wire to the inverter - the same?

Does it really matter where you tie the entire bank to the controller or inverter? Some of us are buying more batteries and need to appear like we know what we're doing.... SWMBO keeps plugging stuff in.:no:

[img][/img]

willardguy - 3-18-2012 at 01:07 PM

your feeds should go to opposite corners, and periodically swap em

Fernweh - 3-18-2012 at 01:09 PM

I do believe your connections are fine.
The battery banks are normally close together - the leads between the the posts should be a heavy gauge AWG depending on your connected loads.
The charger/solar panel leads can be connected to either row of batteries.
If there is a very large # of batteries, I would connect to the center row.
The inverter should be connected with the shortest leads possible, or you have to compensate with a large AWG size cable.

Karl

[Edited on 3-18-2012 by Fernweh]

Bob and Susan - 3-18-2012 at 01:46 PM

my choice...

series_parallel1.gif - 18kB

msteve1014 - 3-18-2012 at 02:59 PM

It does not matter. Pick a battery, if it fails, open or shorted, you will have 2 12 volt pairs with a 6 volt battery in parallel, or just the 2 12s and an open leg.

larryC - 3-18-2012 at 03:28 PM

Jim
Try this website, lots of info on battery connections:
http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html
Larry

Bob and Susan - 3-18-2012 at 03:52 PM

this is a controversy all the time

but the first picture charges the first 2 batteries more than the last two
dont get me wrong...
it does work but it is not as efficent
and when its gets HOT you want all the battery power you can get

batteries get "weird" when it heats up

Bob H - 3-18-2012 at 04:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
this is a controversy all the time

but the first picture charges the first 2 batteries more than the last two
dont get me wrong...
it does work but it is not as efficent
and when its gets HOT you want all the battery power you can get

batteries get "weird" when it heats up


I would trust what Bob says here! He has quite the battery setup at Playa Frambes!!

merlin - 3-19-2012 at 07:37 AM

I'm no expert but I go with Bob's configuration and the "experts" I've worked with have always suggested the same. I just purchased new batteries and this is how I'm going to install them.

Although a hassle, it is important to rotate the batteries from time to time as well. And, of course, always keep them filled and equalize them periodically. My last set of batteries lasted about 12 years - I'm hoping to get the same service out of my new set.

Which batteries did you buy?

Russ - 3-19-2012 at 08:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
my choice...

Can you show how you set up a 24v - 8 battery system (again)?

larryC - 3-19-2012 at 01:30 PM

Russ
4-6v batteries in series, and 4 more 6v batteries in series, paralled to the first 4 batts.